A 17-year-old high school senior from Bethel is speaking out against the proposed expansion of the Brookfield Compressor Station, citing concerns about the potential health and environmental impacts. The expansion, which is being pushed by TC Energy, would increase the amount of methane gas flowing through the pipeline, posing a risk to the surrounding community and environment.

Health Risks and Environmental Concerns

The compressor station is located just 0.36 miles from the Whisconier Middle School, which enrolls 790 students. According to experts, compressor stations should be at least 1.8 miles away from any occupied buildings for safety and health reasons. Methane gas has damaging health effects and can cause or worsen respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and strokes.

The expansion of the compressor station would also increase the amount of ozone pollution and global warming, which could have devastating effects on the environment. The company claims that the expansion will help alleviate the need for gas moratoriums and benefit economic development, but critics argue that the benefits are short-lived and do not outweigh the potential risks.

A Call to Action

The final air permit decision for the expansion is set to be made on July 10. Local residents and environmentalists are urging the community to take action and stop the expansion of the Brookfield Compressor Station. The first step is to raise awareness about the potential risks and to push for alternative solutions that prioritize the health and well-being of the community and the environment.

Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.